Rabbit Pye

"Now, the recipe book of Gareth the innkeeper. This book is a selection of some of my favourite recipes, some of my most notorious ones are in here too! You will notice that as I am a craftsman of some standing, I have invested in an apprentice to do much of the laborious work, which leaves me more time to dream up ever more ingenious tasks for him around the kitchen." Gareth leaned heavily upon the counter of the bar as he lazily observed his surroundings. The wooden paneling deep in grain gave the building a familiar homely appeal with its sturdy chairs and heavy wooden tables.

A young woman entered the inn. She looked around and noticed it was not very busy. She was mostly grateful as that meant fewer people to deal with. The  young woman walked up to the counter and looked at owner. The girl was wearing a simple green dress with a black belt. She wore plain earrings and necklace. The necklace was a gold chain and hanging from it was her family crest. The crest of the Fredrikson family. The young girl happened to be their only daughter Lady Monica Fredrikson. “ Hello good sir may I ask how much it is to stay here?” She asked in a polite and sweet tone.  Monica hoped this Inn was not full like the last one. She had come with her father to get supplies and a few other things. She was given the task of buying them rooms for a couple days.

Gareth's attention snapped up toward the arrival of a customer. Few people entered the inn before lunch, mostly being farmers and locals busing themselves with their daily labor. "Yes, miss. It depends on how long ye wish te stay. I charge a halfpenny a night, that's including breakfast, though ye'll need to fork out more for a bath. Sheets'r clean and the cook'ns grand if I say so mesel." He offered her a nod but still bore a relaxed posture.

She nodded and pulled out a purse and counted enough money for 3 nights for her and her father. “How much more for a bath?” She asked politely. She smiled as she tried to brighten the mood a little. Honestly she was looking forward to this as this was a new adventure for her. She waited for the man to answer her question. She looked the owner in the eyes. Monica was not a people person. But tried her best to be polite and be friendly with everybody. Monica was secretly curious about this man in front of her. She may not be a people person, and yet she loved learning about people. Honestly she was looking forward to lunch as she heard this place had good food. But choose to wait for her father before asking about the food.

"Now, now, Master Gareth. I've offered my services to pen your recipes but if you have any devious plans to dream up more tasks that are not associated then I may desire to charge you for the quality of my extended employment." Rise had been quietly busy setting pen to vellum as he meticulously recorded the man's introduction to his culinary accounts. He had remained seated further away from the counter and closer to the hearth for warmth, even though the day was bright and pleasant he still felt a slight chill in his bones.
He had taken little notice of the young woman's entrance, a pithy flustering of red hair was all he allowed to mar his view. His work was occupying that small realm of his mind that demanded attention. When she had spoken again it was only his eyes that shifted to her presence. He remained quiet but he was aware his scrutiny would become somewhat fatigued if he concluded there was too thin a veil of intelligence from the subject.

"That'll be another penny." He answered the girl before turning his gaze towards the scribe and frowning. "Aye, as I see ye services aren't cheap, and what did I give ye, threepence and a breakfast of sweetbreads!" He drummed his fingers compulsively upon the counter surface. "Did ye write all I said down?" He enquired wondering for a moment if the scribe was going to write down every blasted word he spoke and was he engaged in doing so now?

Monica pulled out extra for a bath for father and herself. She then gave Gareth the money for everything her father had asked for. She then noticed Rise by the hearth. Monica turned to Gareth and spoke. “ Thank you good sir.” She said sweetly. She sat down on an open seat and listened for a bit. Monica found business talk interesting. According to her family she was odd in that way. She kept quiet as the men were talking as it really was none of her business. Monica looked at Rise with curiosity. She then went on to study while waiting for her father.

He gave a sharp 'tsk' in reply. "Yes, I wrote it down. Now can we carry on?" His attention was now stagnating from the lack of engagement by the other party. He readied the finely nibbed white quill, most of the feathering had been stripped off for easier gripping as he redirected his glaring eyes that now sought to stain the vellum before him and continue.
He licked his lips to moisten them feeling the tightness of impatience beginning to clutch at the tendons in his neck, he brought his free hand up to rub the area to stimulate blood flow and to ease his restlessness. "I wish I'd gone straight for the manor," he grumbled audibly.

Gareth shook his head, his lips curling into a slightly amused grin. "Talki'n about the manor, I saw two of those gypsies head'n that way." He rolled into his usual gossiping commentary. "A whole bunch of them came in last eve, they set up camp on the common." He brought up a stubby finger and drew it over his bristly chin, stroking at the grey hairs. "I hope that new lord, whatsisname..... Ó Cléirigh? Aye, I hope he'll do some'et about them. Folk like them tend to bring trouble and this is a small village." He gave a firm rub of his jaw before resting his arm back down. There was no anger or malice in his voice but he was revealing concern at the arrival of the travelers.

Monica was listening and the word that got her interested was gypsies. Monica looked up from her studies and looked at Gareth. “ He might find a use for them though. Yes they can cause problems as can anybody else. But they could possibly prove useful. I think it to early to judge them as they are humans like us. They could be good or bad. Only time will tell.” She said respectfully. She looked at the scribe and was curious about his thoughts on gypsies. Her personal experiences with gypsies were a mixed bag. She had seen good and bad gypsies first hand. She thought about her experiences with gypsies as she put her studies away.

"Well, whatever he does I hope he's got more brains than the last flipp'n lord. He buggered off to the crusades and never came back. At least this one supports King John and he's from Ireland." He leaned forward over the counter as he observed the young woman with his aged grey eyes, then in a quieter voice, he continued. "There's folk that say he's one of them Irish sorcerers that rides on the wind and talks with ghosts, but folk say strange things about what they don't understand. Lord Ó Cléirigh was appointed the manor and Rookhope castle, up north. He came to the village in February and since then he's granted more pasture to the farmers and leveled the grain tax. He's looking to employ people and get more folk to live here. It's not a bad thing, and with merchants and such it'll mean more business for me." He offered a broad smile then glanced at the scribe who was poised with his quill.

((Either Monica or Rise can post next, there is no posting order at the moment.))

Monica nodded. “ He sounds like a good lord. It seems the rumors are true. This village finally has a real lord who actually cares. My father wishes to establish trading connections here as one of my brothers wishes to start his shop here.” She said. She looked at Gareth and smiled back. Monica thought for a moment and sighed. “ It sounds like a good lord.” She said softly. She was not fond of most nobles as she found them morally questionable. Monica always cared about people and there wellbeing. Monica parents often sent there children to live like common folk for awhile to learn the value of work and learn strong values. They believed in walking in others shoes and living like them gives one a humbling experience and teaches you there needs and way of life. Monica smiled as she thought about helping the villagers with there work. It was one of her hobbies after all.

Monica's eyes looked at Gareth for a bit. It “Sounds like this village is on its way to growing. Honestly I love how peaceful this town is. They people are nice and the village is peaceful and lovely. I feel free here. It is almost like home.” She admitted.

Gareth glanced at the young woman quizzically for a time before replying. "Well, with that being the case and your kith are need'n residences then ye should speak to Lord Ó Cléirigh. He holds deeds to all properties and has vacant ones, if there's any left." He sniffed at the stale stained counter, then brought a hand towards his nose before rubbing the tip with his thumb. He pushed his weight off the surface and readjusted his rolled-up leaves. "I think I need to rub this down again." He said as his eyes scrutinized the woodwork.

She nods. “ That why my father came to look at the town and if lucky meet the lord. My brother sent me to deliver a gift that he had crafted for the lord as a sign of good will. “ she explained. She looked at him as she heard footsteps. She turned and saw her father. He had dark brown hair and was well-built. His outfit was like that of his daughter. He had a sword at his side. . She greeted her father. “ This is my father Magnus.” She said as she looked at Gareth.

Gareth nodded, curling his lips into a wide smile in greeting. "Aye, a good morn'n to ya." He nodded again, not sure how to address someone who had been introduced casually. "Nice morn'n, init?" His thick arms supported his weight as he rested on the counter. "What can I do ye for?" He asked.

Magnus smiled. “Good morning to you as well. It truly is a lovely morning. I have heard you have great food. I would want to try some myself. What do you recommend?” Magnus asked. He hugged his daughter and smiled. “ Good job. I’m proud of you Monica.” He praised his daughter. He then sat down next to where his daughter had been. Magnus was polite and caring. He seemed friendly despite looking intimidating to some. He seemed like a caring father. His family was known for being more relaxed this most nobles.  He could be formal if needed or required. His eyes looked at Gareth. He had the same eyes as Monica. Only his where older and wiser. Plus his eyes said he had seen plenty of violence and war. Yet it was clear as day that he cared for his family.

"Yes, Master Gareth. Your customers would require a sample of your fine cooking." He hesitated to engage further and fought back a smile that could reveal his impatience, but if the innkeeper ruminated loudly upon his delicacies then Rise would have the chance to write them down swiftly, without being interrupted again. He sighed, once this burdensome task was completed, his payment secure in his scrip he would strive to seek sufficient employment with the local lord.